As she landed on the page of a rapier, she saw at the top of the page with the title "Blossom's Elegance".
Celestia's eyes scanned the detailed descriptions. She took a deep breath, feeling the anticipation building. With a steady hand, she began reading through the four forms, each one more intricate than the last.
Form 1: Petal's First Step
Position: Prepared Elegance
Celestia read the instructions carefully.
Posture: Start in a neutral stance, feet shoulder-width apart. The rapier is held loosely in the right hand, while the left hand hovers, fingers relaxed as if cupping an invisible flower.
Movement: A slow, graceful step forward with the left foot, positioning it before the right. As the foot lands, she raises the rapier to eye level, a soft 45-degree angle toward her opponent.
She stood and mimicked the first form, failing to get it down for the first three hours, but after hours of practice, her body reacted fluidly to the detailed instructions, her mind focused, her heart slowing to match the gentle flow of energy within her.
Form 2: The Blooming Thorn
Position: Defensive Petal
Her fingers turned the page, eyes drawn to the next form.
She stepped forward with the right foot, the left foot moving slightly back, feet angled outward. The rapier was held close to the body, positioned horizontally to intercept any incoming strikes. The left hand rested by her waist, ready to pivot into a counter.
Movement: As an opponent strikes, she must step back with the left foot, parrying the incoming blow. The rapier slides against the opponent's weapon, then pushes it aside. Pivoting on her left foot, she moves the rapier into a vertical angle, preparing for her next move.
Breathing: Celestia inhaled deeply as the strike approached, then exhaled sharply as she countered the attack, the rhythm syncing with her body's movements.
Celestia practiced the form with precision, imagining an invisible opponent attacking. Her rapier deflected the blows effortlessly, her movements becoming more fluid with each repetition. The form felt like a protective dance, as if her rapier was an extension of herself, flowing gracefully with each twist and turn.
Form 3: Fluttering Petals
Position: Counter
Celestia turned the page again, eyes alight with focus.
The rapier is held high over her left shoulder, feet lightly poised, as if prepared to spring into action at any moment. The body is relaxed, hips turned slightly, awaiting the flow of the opponent's next move.
Movement: The rapier flows from one strike to the next, each movement swift and controlled. With every arc, the wielder moves her body in a continuous, fluid motion, never pausing. Each strike moves seamlessly into the next, creating a dance of blades.
Breathing: Inhale as the rapier is pulled back, and exhale in tandem with each strike, the rhythm quickening as the battle unfolds in her mind.
She imagined herself in the midst of combat, her rapier a blur of motion as it met invisible strikes from all directions. The feeling was exhilarating—each movement was smooth, graceful, and almost effortless. Her heart raced as her body moved with newfound precision.
Form 4: Silk Blossom Lunge
Position: Swift Elegance
Celestia's fingers slid over the next page, her eyes following each delicate stroke of the ancient script.
Start with feet together, the rapier low at the right side. The body should be poised, as if ready to bloom at the slightest moment.
Movement: With a smooth lunge, the wielder steps forward with her right foot, the rapier thrusting directly toward the target.
Celestia took a deep breath and mimicked the lunge, her movements swift and precise. The thrust was sharp, like the quick blooming of a flower in the heat of battle.
Celestia's fingers turned the page once more, the sound of the parchment echoing softly in the dark cave. The ancient book, bathed in the faint blue glow, revealed a new form—a meditation technique to gather energy from the world around her. The words were written in delicate, flowing script, each character holding a power of its own.
She read the description carefully, her eyes narrowing as she absorbed every detail. The meditation, it seemed, was designed to harmonize with her affinity core, aligning her inner energy with the world's natural forces. It was a practice meant to deepen one's connection with the elements—an ancient technique that required absolute stillness and focus.
With a steady breath, Celestia closed the book gently, her heart already pounding with the anticipation of what was to come. The cave around her was silent, save for the occasional drip of water from the stalactites above, the air thick with the musty scent of earth. The darkness pressed in, but Celestia hardly noticed.
She moved into the position described in the book. Her legs folded gracefully beneath her, knees tucked in close to her body, while her feet rested lightly against her inner thighs. Her spine straightened as she placed her hands gently on her knees, open and receptive. The posture was delicate but firm, a balance of grounded strength and serene vulnerability.
Celestia took a slow, deep breath, letting it fill her chest as she closed her eyes, shutting out the physical world. Her thoughts began to fade, her mind clearing as she focused. The energy of the cave seemed to hum beneath her, the pulse of the earth resonating in the space between her ribs. She exhaled slowly, just as the book had described, letting go of the tension in her shoulders and the weight of her mind.
She followed the instructions exactly as the book had laid out: Inhale through your nose, feeling the energy of the earth entering your body. Exhale through your mouth, letting go of anything that blocks the flow of energy.
With each breath, she imagined the earth beneath her feet, the air swirling around her, the fire of the sun, and the gentle pull of the waters deep within the earth. Each element responded, touching her core with its presence. It was subtle at first—a soft shift, a barely perceptible warmth in her chest. After several days, the sensations began to deepen, as if the elements themselves were weaving through her veins, guiding her energy.
When she finally opened her eyes, the cave no longer seemed as dark. It was as if her very presence had filled it with light, though there was no visible change. She could still feel the energy of the elements surrounding her, connected with her in ways she hadn't expected.
"I feel... different, in a way." Celestia murmured, her voice barely a whisper in the stillness of the cave. The air around her seemed to hum with a subtle energy, the aftereffects of her meditation lingering in the atmosphere. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, as she glanced around the dimly lit cave. The walls felt closer now, the shadows shifting in ways they hadn't before. "How much time has passed?"
Her body felt lighter, more fluid. A strange, gentle warmth radiated from within her core, a far cry from the tension she had felt when she first entered. It was as if something inside had settled into place, aligning her with the world around her.
She inhaled deeply, with a sigh, she opened her system, curious about what it would say. The familiar interface popped up in front of her, glowing softly in the darkness. Her eyes widened.
━━━『 Villainous System 』━━━
Name: Celestia Solara
Age: 18
Elements: Dragon-Tempest, Water
Level: 2
EXP: 905/1,000
Bounty: 100 Silver
Fear Rating: 10
Skills:
[Manipulation] – Level 8
[Tempest Arts] – Level 5
[Dragon's Gaze] – Level 4
[Blossom's Elegance] – Level 1
[Blossom's Breath] – Level 1
"Weird... why is Water listed here?" Celestia muttered to herself, her brow furrowing as she stared at the new element in her system. "Maybe it had something to do with this Blossom's Breath meditation thing. I assume that's the meditation the book mentioned." Her thoughts swirled, but she quickly pushed them aside. There was no time to dwell on it.
With a deep breath, Celestia closed the system interface and stood up, the smooth stone floor of the cave cool beneath her feet. The air was thick with the earthy scent of moss and rock, but that didn't distract her. She had become accustomed to the stillness of the cave, the soft echo of her movements the only sound that kept her company. She moved toward the center of the cavern, where several large boulders had been placed—her self-made training ground.
A week had passed, and Celestia was drenched in sweat as her breaths came in labored gasps. Her body was aching from the relentless training, her muscles burning from the strain. She wiped the sweat off her forehead with her hands, then slid down the cold stone wall, sitting down heavily to rest.
"D-damn... I should've really done more training before leaving home..." she muttered, her voice shaky from exhaustion. "Jeez, I feel like I've been through hell..."
She stood slowly, still feeling the weight of the fatigue pulling at her limbs, but she pushed herself onward. She staggered toward a large boulder that sat before her, its surface rough and cracked from previous strikes. Her breathing steadied as she summoned her focus, she manually activated [Tempest Arts]. Wind around her foot stirred, gathering speed, before a shimmering mist of water wrapped around the wind, enhancing the strike with her newfound power.
With a sharp exhale, she kicked the boulder. The impact was deafening. A loud crack echoed through the cave, and the massive rock shattered into countless small pebbles that scattered in every direction.
Her chest heaved as she watched the fragments fall, the fruits of her labor showing clear results. She gave a small, satisfied grin before she turned, stepping out of the cave and into the bright sunlight. The moment the sun hit her face, her eyes instinctively closed, a sharp contrast to the cool, dim light of the cave. She staggered forward, momentarily losing her balance and collapsing into the soft grass below.
Hidden high above in the trees, Solace observed with a smirk, his eyes gleaming as he watched her.
"She's improving… to break that boulder in under two weeks…" he murmured with a hint of amusement in his voice. "It took me nearly a month to break it when I was learning. Looks like she's exceeded my expectations. That's good…"
His thoughts were interrupted as his gaze shifted toward the horizon, landing on the figure of a carriage approaching.
"How… does the Blackheart family know where this is?" Solace mused, narrowing his eyes. "Did they follow her here? This could be bad... but for now, let's see what happens."
Raven's figure was sharp against the landscape as she gracefully exited the carriage, her steps purposeful and deliberate.
"Pick her up and take her back with us. We've found her, and that's all we needed," she commanded, her voice calm but assertive. The coachman, quick to comply, approached and carefully lifted the unconscious Celestia, being mindful of her slumbering form.
"Be careful with her," Raven added, her gaze cool but with an undercurrent of concern. "Place her inside the carriage and let her rest. We'll travel back soon."
Raven's eyes flicked upward, briefly meeting Solace's gaze from the trees. She didn't acknowledge him otherwise, her focus fixed on the task at hand.
"Interesting…" Solace muttered to himself, intrigued by Raven's nonchalance.
He remained still, watching from the shadows, as the carriage began its journey. Eclipse, not entirely sure of what to do, followed silently behind.
Solace adjusted himself on the horse, gripping the reins tightly as the horse shifted nervously beneath him. He whispered calmly to the creature, trying to keep it steady.
"Calm down… don't freak out," he murmured, but the horse's attention had already been caught by the familiar features of Celestia as the carriage passed.
"Looks like she's letting me watch from a distance without saying anything… I wonder how close I can get to their household like this." A grin spread across Solace's face as he urged the horse forward, staying a safe distance behind.
The days passed in quiet travel, the journey long and grueling, but the destination was clear. As the group arrived at the gates of the Blackheart estate, Celestia remained unconscious, her body worn from the exhaustion of overexertion. The gates opened smoothly, and the carriage made its way through the towering stone entrance.
Solace, ever the opportunist, jumped down from the horse the moment the carriage stopped, vanishing into a flash of light. He reappeared inside the Blackheart estate, casually leaning against a wall, as though he belonged there.
Raven entered the building with purpose, the coachman trailing behind her. As she passed through the grand double doors, she turned toward him, her voice commanding but calm.
"Give her to him," Raven instructed, her eyes sharp. The coachman did as ordered, placing Celestia's limp form into Solace's arms.
"Jeez… at least treat my sister with a little more care," Solace commented, rolling his eyes as he followed Raven up the stairs. "It's been a while since I last saw you… I think it was at that royal party, the Solara Festive?"
"Yeah…" Raven's voice held a quiet edge, her eyes glancing back at him with a touch of disdain. "And I remember you never… liking anyone but yourself. Still true?"
"That's irrelevant now, don't you think?" Solace replied, his crimson eyes locking with hers.
"You're right," Raven responded, her tone dripping with mockery. "It doesn't matter."
Solace smirked and chuckled softly to himself as he followed her further into the mansion, the tension between them palpable but unspoken.
They arrived at one of the rooms, and Solace carefully laid Celestia down in the plush bed.
"We might not be on the best of terms with our families, but it's good we're at least civil, don't you think?" Solace's voice carried an edge as he leaned back into a chair, his gaze unwavering. "After she wakes up, I'll be taking her back to the Solara estate. It's part of the contract."
He pulled out a parchment, the faint sound of it unfurling cutting through the stillness.
"Though for now, I'll allow her to stay. But remember this," he said, his crimson eyes glowing briefly as he locked eyes with Raven. "I'll be watching everyone here. One wrong step, and I'll declare war myself. And trust me… none of you want to fight me."
His smile grew predatory as he closed his eyes, savoring the silence that followed.
Raven glanced at Solace, rolling her eyes at his bold declaration, a sigh escaping her lips. She walked over to the other side of the bed and lowered herself into a chair.
"War... with that demon is something I don't want," Raven thought silently, her eyes narrowing slightly as a flicker of unease crossed her features. Solace's presence had always been unsettling, and the power he wielded—unpredictable and extremely terrifying.